Igniting and controlling device for hydrocarbon generators and burners



G. N. BLANCHARD. v IGNITING A ND CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR HYDROCARBON GENERATORS AND BURNERS.

' APPLICATION FILED DEC.4, 1920.

1,394,807, Patented Oct. 25, 1921.

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UNITED STATES PA TENT OFFICE."

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Specification of Letters Patent? Patented oat. 25, 1921.

Application filed December 4, 1920. Serial No. 428,278.

To all-whom it ma concern:

Be it known that GEORGE N. BLANCHARD, a citizen of the United- States, residing .at. the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have. invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ignitingand Controlling Devices for Hydrocarbon Generators and Burners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to hydrocarbon fuel burners and more particularly to a controlling means therefor whereby one at a distant point from the'burner may by the closing of the switch either manually or by automatic mechanism cause the automatic igniting of the generator and burner on the same attaining a sufficient temperature to convert into gas the liquid hydrocarbon fuel fed thereto. By my present apparatus hydrocarbon fuel burners are made adaptable for universal use .and controllable from a distant point enabling their adaptation for housing or dwelling heating without requiring the operator to go to the cellar, baseeral character now in use.

'into the generator, erator is heated to 50.

ment or fire-room each time it is desired to start or extinguish the apparatus, which is the custom with fuel burners of this gen- The invention consists broadly in providi-n a generator in connection with a burner, an to associate therewith a pilot burner for initially heating the'generator, the two being supplied with hydrocarbon fuel from a main line in which is interposed automatic mechanism such as valvesfor selectively controlling the supply of fuel to the generator and pilot burner. I prefer to associate with the pilot burner a heater for generating the fuel supplied to the same into gas, and also associate therewith anigniter' for igniting the gas issuing therefrom, and to position the pilot burner relative to the generator, so that the flame therefrom will initially heat the generator. With the installation'l incorporate a suitable 'mechanism for auto-' matically rendering the heater and igniter inoperative at such time as fuel is admitted as at this'time the gento no longer require the pilot burner.

The present invention relates to that class of device illustrated in m pending application-for Letters Patent erial Nos. 355,361,

a suffioient temperature the 'sameatits rear end extends through a 375,440 and 390,397, filed respectively J anuary 31st, 1920, April 21st, 1920, and June 21st, 1920; and the ap lication of Blanchard and Colmar, Serial llumber 418,033 filed O ctober 19th, 1920, certain of which applications are hereinafter specificallyreferred to. With the above mentioned and other obects 1n view, the invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, I claims heretoappended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, -s1ze and minor details of construction within the scope. of the claims maybe resorted to wlthout departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of my invention eferring to the drawings wherein'like characters of reference designate corresponding parts in the several views l indicates a suitable generator for liquid hydrocarbon fuels controlled by the'well known needle valve by operation of the handle2, and this construction being well' known in the art a detailed description thereof is not thought necessary. 1 v

Fuel for vaporization, preferably. liquid hydrocarbon fuel is supplied to the generator 1 through the feed pipe 3 extending from a connection 4; with which communicates a main feed pipe 5-extending from a pump or other pressureanechanism 6 fed or delivered from any suitable source by a pipe 7. The generator 1 is positioned over a suitable burner'8, as illustrated in the copending application Serial Number 418,033, andthe temperature thereof, after the initial starting is maintained by a pilot flame from said burner; 8. Disposed preferably at one side of thegenerator 1, and extending longitudinally. thereof is a suitable'pilot burner 9 for initially heating the generator 1, and

suitable heating chamber 10. Liquid carbon fuel is supplied to the through a pipe '11 extending hydropilot burner 9 rom the conand set forth in the to which fuel is nection 4, and interposed in side line between the rear end of the pilot burner 9 and the discharge end of the member 11 is a suitable thermostatic valve 12 described in detail in my application Serial No.. 355,361 and the operating thermostat '12 of which extends over or in Suitable cooperative relation with the heater 10. Interposed between the generator: 1 and the end of the pipe 3 is the thermostatic valve 13 of the same construction as valve 12, and the thermostatic tube 14 thereof is disposed in cooperative relation 'w ith ,the generator 1 to be controlled by the heat therefrom. It will be apparent that on the 'heating of the member 10, the valve 12 will be opened to permit the passage of hydrocarbon fuel from the line 11 into the pilot burner 9, 11. 6., when the heater 10 attains a determinable temperature; and it will also be apparent that the valve 13 will open at such time as the temperature of the generator 1 arrives at a predetermined degree suflicient to operate a controlling thermostat 14, and it will also be observed that if for any reason, after the apparatus has started, the same should become accidentally extinguished, the cooling ofthe generator 1 will, through the thermostat 14, cause a closing of the valve 13, and thus prevent the fioodin of the burner. The pilot burner 9 is provi ed with a gas discharge port 15, and in close-proximity thereto is positioned an igniting means 16 illustrated in the form derstood that I am not limited to such exact of a coil in an electric circuit which is supported by a suitable arm and bracket 17. The'pum 6 is operated by a suitable motor 18 supplied with current through the main circuit 19, and within one line of which is a controlling switch 20 adapted for either manual or automatic operation. From the main'circuit 19 extends an auxiliary circuit 21 within which is the igniting coil 16, and within said circuit is also positioned a heating element such as the resistance unit 22 associated with the heater 10, the same being conventionally illustrated, and it is to-be undisclosure. In the auxiliary circuit 21 is a suitable make and break or switch structure,

the same consisting of a stationary contact 23, and a movable and adjustable contact 24, the, contact 24 being carried by a switch lever 25 fulcrumed as at 26 in a casing or support 27. The contact 24 is insulated by material 28 from the lever 25, and said lever within the casing is provided at opposite sides with the bearing members 29, one of which contacts with a diaphragm or other operating mechanism 30 positioned within the casing as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The casing 27 which is of annular' formation, is closed at its opposite sides by suitable caps or other members 31 between the inner surface of which and the outer surface of the respective diaphragms niter 16, and when the heater 10 reaches a sufficient temperature to cause the operation of the thermostat 12, the valve 12 will be Opened to admit fuel from the line into the pilot burner 9 and in passing therethrough will be generated into gas by the temperature of the heater 10, and thegas willbe initially ignited by the igniter- 16.

This operation will permit the pilot burner 9 to direct a flame on to the main generator 1 for initially heating the same, and on the temperature of the main generator obtaining a degree sufficient to vaporize fuel to be admitted thereto, the heat radiated therefrom operates the thermostat 14 opening the valve 13, admitting hydrocarbon fuelfrom the pipe 3 into the generator 1. From the pressure chamber 32 extends a pipe 35 which connects with the interior of the generator 1 at a point between the tipof'the generator and the controlling valve 13, and on the opening of the controlling valve 13,, pressure is admitted through the pipe 35 from the generator 1 into the chamber 32 to actuate the diaphragm within said chamber,: and tocause a movement of the lever 25 to break the connection between thev contacts 23 and 24, and thus break the auxiliary circuit 21 without affecting the main circuit 19, which has been previously closed by thev operation of the switch 20.

It will be observed that the pressure within the chamber .32 has the assistance of the tension of the spring 34 in breaking the contact between the members 23 and 24.

While I have illustrated a motorfor supplying fuel under pressure by a pump 6 to the fuelfeed line, it will be apparent that if the main fuel container is positioned at a suflicient elevation-abovethe burner 8, the required fuel pressure may be obtained and maintained without the pump 6.

It will be observed that in connection with the switch 20, there is provided a valve 36 in the line 7, and the valve is adapted to be shut off or moved to closed position on the movement of the switch to break the circuit 19.

In operation, the handle 2 controlling the needle valve for the generator is adjusted to permit the desired flame to issue from the generator tube.

r for controlling Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is 1. In combination with a nerator for hydrocarbon burners, a fuel eed line connected therewith and through which fuel is supplied thereto, a motor, a pump operated thereby for forcing fuel through said line under pressure, a main circuit for operating said motor and including a main switch, a thermostatic valve for controlling the admission of fuel from the line to the generator dependent on the temperature of the enerator, a pilot burner associated with the generator for initially heating the same and connected with said fuel feed line, a thermostatic valve for controlling the fuel feed to the pilot burner, a secondary circuit connected with said main circuit, an electric heaterassociated with the pilot burner and its thermostatic valve, an electric igniter associated with said pilot burner, said heater and igniter being connected in series in said secondary circuit, a switch in said secondary circuit, and means connected with said switch and operated by the fuel feed pressure for opening and closing the switch.

2. In combination with a generator for hydrocarbon burners, a pressure fuel feed line connected therewith, means for forcing fuel therethrough under pressure, a thermostatic valve for controlhng the admission of fuel from the line to the generator in accordance with the temperature of the generator, a pilot burner associated with the generator for initially heating the same and connected with said fuel feed line, a thermostatic valve for controlling the fuel feed to the pilot burner, an electric heater associated with the pilot burner, an electric igniter associated with the pilot burner, sure actuated means for controlling the operation of said pilot heater and igniter.

3. In combination with a generator for hydrocarbon burners, a pressure fuel feed line connected therewith, means for forcing fuel'therethrough under pressure, a thermostatic valve for controlling the admission of fuel from the line to the generator in accordance with the temperature of the generator,

a pilot burner associated with the generator for initially heating the same and connected with said fuel feed line, a thermostatic valve the fuel feed -to the pilot burner, an electric circuit, an electric heater therein and associated with the pilot burner, an electric igniter within said circuitand associated with the pilot burner, a main consaid circuit, and a pressure operated switch within said circuit -or controlling the operation of said heater and igniter.

4. In combination with a generator for hydrocarbon burners, a fuel feed line connected therewith, a thermostatic valve for with the generator,

I line to the generator de and prescontrolling the admission of fuel from the line to the generator dependent on the generator temperature, a pilot burner associated with the generator, for initially heating the same and connected with said fuel feed line, an automatic valve for controlling. the fuel feed to the pilot burner, an electric heater associated with the pilot burner for generating the fuel admitted thereinto into gas, an electric igniter associated with said pilot burner fori iting the gas issuing therefrom, a circuit wit in which said heater andi iter are connected in series and including a switch, and means for operating said switch.

5. In combination with a generator for hydrocarbon burners, a fuel feed line connected therewith, a thermostatic valve for controllingthe admission of fuel from the line to the generator dependent on the gener ator temperature, a pilot burner associated for initially heating the same and connected with said fuel feed line, an automatic valve for controlling the fuel feed to the pilot burner, an electric heater associated with the pilot burner for generating the fuel admitted thereinto into gas, an electric igniter associated with said pilot burner for ignitingthe gas issuing therefrom, a circuit within which said heater and igniter are connected in series and including a switch, and means for opening said switch on the admission of fuel under pressure into said generator.

6. In combination with a generator for hydrocarbon burners, a fuel feed line connected therewith, .a thermostatic valve for controlling the admission of fuel from the endent. on the generator temperature, a pi ot burner associated with the generator, for initially heating the same and connected with said fuel feed line an automatic valve for controlling the fue feed to the pilot burner, an electric heater associated with the pilot burner for generatburner for igniting the gas issuing therefrom, a circuit within which said heater and igniter are connected in series and including a switch, a casing, fuel feed connection between one side thereof and said fuel feed line,

, a fuel feed connection between the other side thereof and said generator, a movable member within said casing and operated by the fluid pressure admitted thereto and mounting the movable member of said switch.

7. In combination with a generator for h drocarbon burners, a pilot burner associated with the generator for initially heat ing the same, a fuel feed line connected with said generator and pilot-burner; for supplying fuel thereto, an electric circuit, [an electric heater and an electric igniter within said 'circuit and associated with said pilot burner, one for generating gas from the hydrocarbon fuel supplied thereto and the other for igniting gas as it. discharges therefrom, and an automatically operated switch within said circuit for controlling the operation of said igniter and heater.

8. In combination with a generator for I hydrocarbon burners, a pilot burner associated therewith for initially heating the same, a fuel feed line connected .with said generator and pilot burner for supplying fuel thereto, thermostatic valves adapted for operation in accordancd with the temperature of said respective I generator and pilot ciated with the generator for initially heat-' ing the same, a fuel feed line connected with the generator and pilot burner for supplyin fuel thereto, automatic valves within sald fuel line for selectively controlling the feed of fuel. to the generator and pilot burner,- a heater associated with the pilot burner for generating the fuel supplied thereto into gas, an igniter associated with the pilot burner for igniting the gas issuing therefrom, and means for automatically rendering operative and inoperative said heater and igniter.

10. In combination with a generator for hydrocarbon burners, a pilot burner associated with the generator for initially heating the same, a fuel feed line connected with the generator and pilot burner for supplyingfuel thereto, automatic valves within said fuel line'for selectively controlling the feed of fuel to the generator and pilot burner, a heater associated with the ilot burner for generating the fuel supplied thereto into.

gas, an igniter associated with the pilot burner for igniting the gas issuing therefrom, and means for automatically rendering said heater and igniter operative and for rendering same inoperative on the admission of fuel into the generator.

11. In combination with a generator for hydrocarbon burners, a pilot burner associated with the generator for initially heating the same, a fuel feed line connected with the generator and pilot burner for supplying fuel thereto under pressure, automatic valves within said fuel line for selectively controlling the feed of fuel to the generator and pilot burner, a heater associated with the pilot burner for generating the fuel sup- I plied thereto into gas, an igniter associated with the pilot burner for igniting the gas issuing therefrom, and means for automatically rendering said heater and igniter operative on the supplying of fuel nder pressure through said line and for rendering inoperative said heater and igniter on the opening of the automatic valve associate dwith said generator.

12. In combinatlon with .a generator for hydrocarbon burners, a pressure fuel feed line connected therewith, means for forcing fueltherethrough under pressure, a thermo-' static valve for controlling the admission of fuel from the line to the generator in accordance with the temperature of the generator, an electric heater, an electric igniter, and pressure actuated means for, controlling the operation of said heater and igniter.

' 13. In combination with a generator for hydrocarbon burners, a'fuel feed line connected therewith, a thermostatic valve for controlling the admission of fuel from the line to the generator dependent on the generator temperature, an electric heater, an electric igniter, a circuit'within which said 'heater and igniter are connected and including a switch, and means for opening said switch on the admlssion of fuel under pressure into said generator.

" 14. In combination witlf'a generator for hydrocarbon burners, a fuel feed line connected with said generator for supplying fuel thereto, an electric circuit, an electric heater and .an electric igniter within said circuit, one for initially generating gas-from the hydrocarbon fuel supplied by said fuel feed line and the other for igniting said generated gas, and an automatically operated ing of fuel underpressure through said line and for rendering inoperative said heater and igniter on the-opening of the automatic valve associated with said generator.

16. In combination with .a generator for hydrocarbon burners, a fuel feed line connected therewith, means for forcing fuel 'therethrough under pressure, a thermostatic valve for controlling the admission of fuel from the line to the generator dependent on t the temperature of the generator, electrically controlled means for. initially, heating the generator and an igniter for the generator.

17 In combination .with a generator for hydrocarbon burners, a fuel feed line connected therewith, means for forcing fuel therethrough under pressure, a thermostatic valve for controlling the. admission of fuel from the line to -the-generator dependent on i the temperature of the generator, an electrically controlled heater for initially heating said generator, and means operable by a variation of pressure in said fuel feed line for controlling the operation of said heater.

18. In combination with a generator for hydrocarbon burners, a fuel feed line connected therewith, means for forcing fuel therethrough under pressure, a thermostatic Valve for controlling the admission of fuel from the line to the generator dependent on the temperature of the generator, means for initially heating said generator and an electrically controlled igniter cooperating with the generator and operated by the variation of pressure in said fuel feed line for igniting the gas issuing from said generator on sand generator attaining a predetermined temperature.

19. In combination with a generator for hydrocarbon burners, a fuel feed line connected therewith, means for forcing fuel therethrough under pressure, a valve for controlling the admission of fuel from the line to the generator, an electric circuit, an electric heating unit and an electric i iting unit within said circuit for controlllng the initial heating and igniting of the generator, and a pressure actuated contact member in said circuit operated by a Variation of pressure in said generator for breaking said circuit on the opening of said Valve controlling the feeding' of fuel to the generator.

In testimony whereof I have slgned my name to this specification.

GEORGE N. BLANCHARD. 

